mself had a much higher
opinion of him than the other orators; and his enemies acknowledged
that they had to contend with a great man. For Aeschines and
Hyperides, in their very accusations, give him such a character.

I wonder, therefore, how Theopompus could say that he was a man of no
steadiness, who was never long pleased either with the same persons or
things. For, on the contrary, it appears that he abode by the party
and the measures which he first adopted; and was so far from quitting
them during his life that he forfeited his life rather than he would
forsake them. . . .

It must be acknowledged, however, that he excelled all the orators of
his time, except Phocion, in his life and conversation. And we find in
his orations that he told the people the boldest truths, that he
opposed their inclinations and corrected their errors with the greatest
spirit and freedom. Theopompus also acquaints us that when the
Athenians were for having him manager of a certain impeachment, and
insisted upon it in a tumultuary manner, he would not comply, but rose
up and said, "My friends, I will be your counsellor whether you will or
no; but a false accuser I will not be how much soever you may wish it.
. . ."

Demosthenes, through the whole course of his political conduct, left
none of the actions of the kin of Macedon undisparaged. Even in time
of peace he laid hold on every opportunity to raise suspicions against
him among the Athenians, and to excite their resentment. Hence Philip
looked upon him as a person of the greatest importance in Athens; and
when he went with nine other deputies to the court of that prince,
after having given them all audience, he answered the speech of
Demosthenes with greater care than the rest. As to other marks of
honour and respect, Demosthenes had not an equal share in them; they
were bestowed principally upon Aeschines and Philocrates. They,
therefore, were large in the praise of Philip on all occasions, and
they insisted, in particular, on his eloquence, his beauty, and even
his being able to drink a great quantity of liquor. Demosthenes, who
could not bear to hear him praised, turned these things off as trifles.
"The first," he said, "was the property of a sophist, the second of a
woman, and the third of a sponge; and not one of them could do any
credit to a king."

Afterward, it appeared that nothing was to be expected but war; for, on
the one hand, Philip knew not how to sit dow